Alliance Backs Striking Department of Internal Affairs Workers

The Alliance Party has thrown its full support behind the 1,300 Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) workers who walked off the job today in a historic strike over fair pay.

Alliance Party Leader Victor Billot says these workers, whose work includes processing essential documents like passports and citizenship, are justified in taking collective action against an insulting 0.8% average pay offer.

“This is an effective pay cut during an ongoing cost-of-living crisis,” says Mr Billot.

“While everyday costs skyrocket, senior management and Government politicians are offering frontline staff crumbs.”

He says the industrial action comes immediately after an OECD report ranked New Zealand last among 37 developed nations for real wage growth, with Kiwi wages plummeting 6.4% below 2021 levels in real terms.

Mr Billot says the collapse of wage growth in New Zealand informs the same market data that employers will use to justify even lower pay offers further down the line.

“The Alliance Party knows that when workers fight for a better deal, they are fighting for a better deal for all workers.”

He says while DIA workers are told to tighten their belts, MPs enjoy regular, locked-in salary increases, padded by generous taxpayer-funded superannuation and accommodation subsidies.

“Likewise, public service chief executives routinely pocket salaries of hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.”

The Alliance calls on DIA management to return to the bargaining table and deliver a fair offer.

“The Alliance stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the DIA workers and their union, the PSA. Your fight is a fight for the collective wellbeing of all working-class New Zealanders.”

For more information contact Alliance Party Leader Victor Billot on 022 479 1786.